Apparatus for elevating water by means of compressed air.



No. 855,518. PATENTED JUNE 4, 190'7.

, K A. M. LOGKETT. APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING WATER .BY MEANS 0F COMPRESSED AIR. APPLIUATION FILED JUNI; z5, 190e.

gum" roc .f Hl ,III III Il wi h1 @osea mf @Normas through said nozzle, and Fig. 4, is a plany n 55 view ofsaid valve supporting memben UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIcZE,

ANDREW M. LOCKE'O NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

APPARATUS Fon ELEVATING WATER'BY MEANS oF COMPRESSED Am.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application iiled June 25, 1906. Serial No. 323,253.

No. 855,518. Patented annee, 1907.

To all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, ANDREW'M. LooKETT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Elevating Water by Means of Compressed Air, of which the following is a specification.

ly invention relates to the art of elevating water from wells or other sources of supply through tubes or casings sunk into the water or water bearing strata, by means Ofcompressed air injected into the column of water th within the `tuboe or casing, which column thereby becomes less dense'or lighter than `when unmixed with air, and is caused to rise to the surface of the by the pressure due to the head of the shorter but more dense column of water outside the well tubing. Such devices are commonly called air ift pumps. LIn such devices it is found that the pressure of air necessary to start the iiow of water is materially Greater than thatnecessary to continue the ischarge from the well after it has beenonce established.

The object of my invention is to provide -means whereby such a water elevating device may be started with air under the same when 1n an o en iposition permits compressure as that which will be necessary toI pressed air to ow om the supply pipe B af the action thereof, said through said openings, passages g, groove e means bein automatic in its action, so that and holes h into the column of water in the no manipulgation of any mechanical device tubing or casing A, The valve H is provided will be necessary, and no excess of air preswith a stem K which passes through an open-l Sure over the normal working pressure will ing in the glandL.. l be required to place the well in operation. M is a spring surrounding the valve stem further object of my invention is to prof and held between the gland and nuts N u on vid improved alr discharge `nozzle the `valve stem, and acting to normally hold through which the compressed air 1s injected the valve H in its lower or open position.

into the column of water in the well tubing. 0, O

In the accom anying drawings, in which F. like reference c aracters indicate like `elements inthe various views, Figure 1, is a vertical sectional View ofa well tube or cas` ing with an air supply pipe. containing a' se-` valve is stopped by the gland L as shown. ries of nozzles shown 1n elevation therein, Referringto Fig; 1, as illustrative of the vsaid figure having certain dimensions indi-,p operation of air lift cated' thereon which serve to illustrate 'the t operationof my invention; 2, a vertiltive yshort distance cal central section of one of a series of valve l .line v1`-2 indicates the level to controlled' air "discharge.. nozzles located inwhic vthe waterwillrise when no Water is bethe air supply pipe; 3,.'is'an velevation of ing pumped from the well, asSu1ning in this instanceto be 20 ft.v below, the surface ofthe well, which tubinfr forms the water discharge pipe from the we l. This tubing extends a considerable distance below'the normalnw'ater levelas is necessary in 'devices of the kind to which my invention relates.

is an air supply pipe designed to supply compressed air to the column of water within the casing. This air vided with a series of nozzles C, C, C, through e air pipe B are screwed, and said coupling member is interiorly threaded to form a support for the threaded valve support E. Said valve-support is provided with a groove e, and with arms f through which extend passages g. The coupling member D is provided with a series of holes shown .at h through which compressed air passing through passages g and grooves e escapes into the water in the well tubing.

F is a cylinder supported by and formed in one piece with the valve sup orter E, and H is a valve tting closely in t e said cylinder.

his valve when in a closed series of openings 'i in the it upward. The downward movement ofthe ofthe-surface, of the 59 ,the valve-which controls thedischargefof' air I i fthejwell the level at which th -E `will, be depressed; a-

the' rapidity of withdrawal and the rate o e water stands A. represents. the `tubingor 'easing of the position closes a` cylinder F, and

supply pipe is pro- ICC pumps in wells in which e water normally risesto within a compara log ground. *When water is 'being pumped from IIC distance depending u on v locating the upper tions under which ferent degrees of Alng the iioW through said supply ...6.5

sary to maintain a continuous discharge therefrom and that all operations incidental to such starting operation take place automatically and Without manipulation of any special mechanism by an attendant.

It Will be seen that my invention provides a convenientmeans for varying 'the condia given Well is operated, and for determining the best location of the air discharge nozzle to secure the maximum flow from the Well, Without removing the air supply pipe therefrom, for, by placing the nozzles comparatively close together, and

nozzle so that the minimum air pressure likely to be employed at any time will be greater than the pressure due to the maximum head at said nozzle, a Well may be started and operated under difair pressure,l the air being discharged into the casing at different points located a short distance apart. The point o f discharge of air into the casing at any given pressure Will depend upon such ressure and Will take lace, through a'dennite nozzle automatically selected and determined by air. Upon supplying air at a different pressure the discharge Will take place through a different nozzle and /by varying the air pressure through a suliicient' range the ressure produced maximum flow is readi y ascertained.

My device has advantages particularly adapting. it for use in pumping systems in Which a single air compressor supplies air to a series of Wells located at a considerable distance therefrom. In such a system equipped With Water elevating apparatus. of the type set forth herein, if for any reason some or all of the Wells momentarily stop flowing, the flow at theWell or Wells in question Will be automatically restablished, and the air ressure necessary to that end will obvious y be the same in degree as that under which the system will operate after the Well or Wells are again inA operation.

I refer to the valve H as being normally open, because such is the condition of said valve When the Well is at rest and beforethe compressed air is let into the air supply pipe B to start the iiow. After the Well has been put in operation and is discharging at its normal rate through the discharge ipe or tubing, all the valves except that of the lowest noz` zle, if that be provided With a valve, are in their closed condition.

aving thusdescribed my invention, and

explained the operation thereof, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. In apparatus for elevating Water by means of compressed air, a Water'discharge pipe, a plurality of means for supplying compressed air thereto at dieent epths, and automatically controlled means-for interceptmeans in succession, beginning With the uppermost.,

I mall zles'adapted' to discharge air 2. In apparatus for elevating Water by means of compressed air, a Water discharge pipe, a plurality of means foi` supplying compressed air thereto at dierent depths, a nory open valve for intercepting the iioW through each of said supply means, andpressure controlled means for successively closing said valves, beginning With the uppermost.

3. In apparatus for elevating Water by means of compressed air, a Water discharge pipe, a plurality of means for supplying compressed air thereto at different depths, a nor mally open valve for intercepting the floW through each of said supply means, and means operated by the pressure of the compressed air' for successivelyclosing said valves, beginning With the uppermost.

In apparatus for elevating Water by means of compressed air, a Water discharge pipe, a compressed air su ply pipe located therein and provided Wit a plurality of openings adapted to discharge air thereinto at different depths, a normally open valve for intercepting the flow through each of said openings, and automatically controlled means for successively closing said valves, beginning with the uppermost.

5. In apparatus for elevating Water by means of compressed air, a Water discharge pipe, a compressed air supply pi e located therein and provided With a p urality -of openings adapted to discharge air thereinto at different de ths, a normally open valve for intercepting t e flow through each of said openings, and pressure controlled means for successively closing said valves, beginning With the uppermost. v

6. In ,apparatus for elevating Water by means of compressed air, awater discharge pipe, a compressed air supply pi e llocated therein and urality of openings adapted to discharge air thereinto at different depths, a normally open valve located adjacent each of said openings and adapted to intercept the oW therethrough, and means operated by the pressure within said air supp y pipe for successively closing said valves, beginning With the uppermost.

7. In apparatus for elevating Water by means of compressed air, a Water discharge pipe, a compressed air supply pipe located t erein and provided with a plurality of nozzles adapted to dischar e air thereinto at different depths, a norma ly open valve for in'- tercepting the lowthrou h each of said nozzles, and pressure contro ed means for successively -closing said valves, beginning with the u permost.

n apparatus for elevating Water by in'eans of compressed air, 'a Water discharge -pipea compressed air supply pipe located therein and provided with a p urality of nozeach of said nozzles bein pro-l normally open valve for interferent depths, vided with a IOO IOS-

IIO

thereinto at difmeans of comp .PliPey a of Water in the i adapted to intercept said .valves for successively closing said valves, beginning With the uppermost. j .12. ln apparatus of 'the pressure .duc the 'discharge pipe pipe for l inally open valve Jfor intercepting the IOv -means dependent P -therein and provided Witlli means oi compressed air, a Water discharge essively 'closing said valves, the 'upprmost. l Y 13. .an air discharge cepting the flow therethrough, and means o j erated by the pressure Within said air supp y 'successivel closing said valves, being with the uppermost. i

9. 'In apparatus for elevating Water. by

beginning with ressed air, a Water discharge plrirality of means for suiplying compressed air thereto at dierent epths, a nora plurality of compressed air conveyingpassages leading therefrom, a normally, open valve for intercepting the iiow through said passages, and ressure-controlled means for closing said va ve. j

14. In an air discharge nozzle for air lift pumps, a coupling member adapted vto be connected with a compressed air supply pipe, a plurality of compressed air conveying pas-i sages leading therefrom, I a normally open 'valve for intercepting the ioW through said passages, and' means operated by fthe pressure of the air in said supply pipe for closing said valve.

iioW of said supply .means an -for the'noperatio'n u on a the ressure due to the collumn discharge pi e above the discharge end of said air supp y means for sucessively closing said valves, beginning with the up ermost. I I10'. n apparatu for elevating Water by means oi compressed air, a Waterl discharge pipe, a compressed air supply pipe located therein and provided with a plurality of openings-adapted ,to discharge air thereinto at diderent depths, a normally open valve for intercepting the @iiow through each of said openings, and means dependent for their operation upon a reduction of the ressure due to the column of Water in thedischarge ipe above said o enings Jfor successively closing said valves, eginning With the uppermost. z

11. In apparatus 'for elevating water by means of compressed air, a Water discharge pipe, a compressed air su ly pi e located a plliirality of o enlngs adapted -to discharge air thereto at dierent depths, a normally open valve located yadjacent 'eachoi said o enings and theiiow t erethrough, ent .for their operation due to the the discharge pipe above through each reduction of pumps ,a coupling member adapted to be connected with a compressed airsupply pipe, a valve supporting member located in said couplingmember, a cylinder carried by said valve supporting member, a piston valve moving in said cylinder, air conveying passages controlled by said valve, a spring acting upon the valve to 'hold it normally open, and openin s leading into said cylinder and through which compressed air may act upon said valve to close it.

16. In an air discharge nozzle for air lift pumps, a coupling member adapted to be connected with a compressedair supcply pipe, a valve supporting member locate in sai coupling member, a cylinder carried by said valve supporting member, a piston valve moving in said cylinder, air conveying passages adjacent the'up and controlled by sai valve, a stem or said 'valve extending throughy a gland at the lower said'valve stem,

and means 'depen ,upon-a reduction of the ressure column of Water in for elevating Water by ho ding the valve normally ings Vleading valve throng pipe a compressed air supply pi e located 'therein andl rovided With-a plurality of nozl which openings .compressed zles adapte to -discharge 'air"therein.to at air may act to close said valve. Adierent depths, each of said `nozzles being In testimony whereof l afliX'my signature rovidedwith a normally openvalve for inter-,l in presence of' two Witnesses. cepting the iioW therethrough, and means de- ANDREW M. LOCKETT.

endent for their operation upon a reduction Witnesses: l*

' FERNANDO Es'roPiNAL,

above said' nozzle for suc- 15. In an air discharge nozzle for air lift connected With a compressed air supply pippe,

er end of said cylinder y 

